Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ORAL CARE KIT AND PACKAGE FOR SAME.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001i The present invention relates generally to the field of oral care kits,
and specifically to
oral care kits that include a package containing a toothbrush and a dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
10002.1 in the commercialization of oral care kits, the current trend is...to
package multiple oral
care implements and/or companion oral care products in thermoform packageS.
Often, the oral
care implement and the companion oral care product that are packaged together
are intended to
be used together. In certain circumstances, the oral care implement and the
companion oral care
product may require assembly in order to provide an added oral care benefit.
in order to
communicate to consumers as to how to use both products, the package may
include information
that are printed on the package or included in an instruction slip that is
included in the package_
While printed information and instruction slip are helpful in. relaying
product information to the
consumer, it would be useful and desirable to provide a package for an oral
care kits that
includes an oral caw implement and a companion oral care product that provides
visual cues to
the consumers as to how both products are to be assembled together if assembly
is required.
'BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00031 In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care kit comprising: a
package
comprising a first cavity including a first plurality of retaining elements
and a second cavity
including a second plurality of retaining elements and a .first retaining
channel, the first cavity
including a top surface. The oral care kit also comprises a toothbrush
comprising a head, a
handle, and a. recess located at a proximal end of the handle, the toothbrush
.positioned within the
first cavity., a portion of the toothbrush contacting the first plurality of
retaining elements. The
oral care kit further comprises a dispenser comprising an anti-rotation member
located at a
proximal end of the dispenser, the dispenser positioned within the second
cavity,:a first portion
of the dispenser contacting the second plurality of retaining elements and a
second portion of the
dispenser contacting the first retaining channel. Wherein, the toothbrush is
mounted within the
first cavity so that the recess is visible from outside of the package and the
dispenser is mounted
within the second cavity so that the anti-rotation member is visible from
outside of the package,
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[00041 In another embodiment, the invention can be a package for an oral care
kit comprising: a
first cavity including a top surface and an inner side surface, a first
plurality of retaining
elements extendinlit from the inner side surface and the top surface, the
first cavity has a shape
and size that corresponds to a shape and size of a toothbrush. The package
also comprising a
second cavity including a top surface and an inner side surface, a second
plurality of retaining
elements extending from the inner side surface and a first retaining channel
disposed in the top
surface, the second cavity has a shape and size that corresponds to a shape
and size of a
dispenser. Wherein, when the toothbrush is mounted within the first cavity,
the first plurality of
retaining elements cooperate to orient the toothbrush so that a recess of the
toothbrush is visible,
and when the dispenser is mounted within the second cavity, the second
plurality of retaining
elements and the first retaining channel cooperate to orient the dispenser so
that an anti-rotation
member of the dispenser is visible, the recess and the anti-rotation member
capable of forming a
keyed cooperation,
100051
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent
from the
detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the
detailed description
and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended
for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100061 The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description
and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
100071 Figure 1 is a from view of an oral care kit including a sleeve, a
package, a toothbrush and
a dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention;
100081 Figure 2 is a front view of the oral care kit of FIG. I without the
sleeve;
[00091 Figure 3 is a left side view of the toothbrush and the dispenser of the
oral care kit of FIG.
I. where the dispenser is separated from the toothbrush;
[00101 Figure 4 is the left side view of the toothbrush and the dispenser of
the Oral care kit of
FIG. I where the dispenser is stored within a cavity of the toothbrush;
[00111 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the package of the oral care kit of
FIG. 1; and
100121 Figure 6 is a perspective view of a package of an oral care kit
according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
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'DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following description of the preferred .embodiment(s) is merely
exemplary in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
1.00141 The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of
the present
invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings,
winch are to be
considered part of the entire written description_ in the description of
embodiments of the
invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is
merely intended for
convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope
of the present
invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," ''vertical,"
"above," "below.,"
"down,'*top" :and "bottom" OS well as derivative thereof (e.g.õ
"horizontally,"
"downwardly," "upwardly," etc) should be construed to refer to the orientation
as then described
or as shown in the drawing under discussion These relative terms are for
convenience of
description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or
operated in a particular
orientation .unless explicitly indicated as such.
Terms such as "attached," 'affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a relationship
wherein structures
are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through
intervening structures,
as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless
expressly described
otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are
illustrated by reference to the
exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly Should not be
limited to such
exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of
features that
may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the
invention 'being defined by
the claims appended hereto.
[001.51 Referring to HOS_ 1-5 concurrently, an oral care kit 100 is
illustrated according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The oral care kit 100 generally comprises
a sieeve400, a
package 300, a toothbrush 400 and an oral care material dispenser 500, in the
embodiment as
shown, the oral care kit 100 also includes a hanger tab 320 that facilitates
hanging of the product
in a store for display. However, it is understood that in other embodiments,
the hanger tab 320
may be eliminated or the hanger tab 320 may he replaced with other means, such
as a hole: to
facilitate the hanging of the product for display. In the embodiment as shown
in FIG 1, the
sleeve 400 may be semi-transparent or transparent such that the contents of
the oral care kit 100
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may be visible to the consumer at the point of sale. As used herein, the term
"transparent"
includes materials that allow a. user to see through the material., even if
the material is colored or
includes a small degree of translucency, hi some embodiments, a portion of the
sleeve 400 may
include product information, marketing information, instructions, graphics,
logos, and/or other
visual designs, andlor other relevant information. In some embodiments, the
various information
may be included on a separate insert (not shown) that is included in the oral
care kit 100.
I001(j IR.eferring to FIG a 3, the oral care kit 100 is a compact, readily
portable, sell-contained,
user-friendly system that comprises all of the necessary components and
chemistries necessary
fir a user to perform a desired oral care treatment routine. As will be
described in greater detail
below, the oral care kit 100 in one exemplary embodiment comprises a .modified
toothbrush 400
having a removable dispenser 500 disposed at least partially within its handle
410. Because the
dispenser 500 is located within the handle 410 of the toothbrush 400, the oral
care kit 100 is
portable for travel, easy to use, and .reduces the amount of required storage
spaCe. Furthermore,
since the toothbrush 400 and dispenser 500 are housed together, the user is
less likely to
misplace the dispenser 500 and more inclined to maintain the oral treatment
routine with the
dispenser 500 since brushing will remind the user to simply detach and apply
the contents of the
dispenser 500.
100171 The oral care kit 100 is exemplified in conjunction with the
commercialization of a
toothbrush 400 and an oral care material dispenser 500. The invention,
however, is not so
limited. In alternate embodiments, other oral care implements tan be included
in the oral care kit
100, including tongue. cleaners,. tooth polishers, floss dispenser, tooth
cleaning accessories
toothpick, interdental brushes, etc.) and other oral care ansate implements.
In certain instances,
the toothbrush 400 may include tooth engaging elements that are .specifically
designed to
increase the effect of the oral care material in the dispenser on the teeth.
For example, the tooth
engagina elements may include elastomeric wiping elements that assist in
removing stains from
teeth and/or assist with forcing the oral care material into the tubules of
the teeth. Moreover,
while the toothbrush 400 is exemplified as a manual toothbrush, the toothbrush
400 may be a
powered toothbrush in certain embodiments of the invention. It is to be
understood that the
inventive system can be utilized for a. variety of intended oral care needs by
filling the dispenser
500 with any fluid, such as an oral care agent that achieves a desired oral
effect. In one
embodiment, the fluid is free of is not) toothpaste as the dispenser 500 is
intended to
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augment not supplant the brushing regimen. The fluid can be selected to
complement a
toothpaste formula, such as by coordinating flavors, colors, aesthetics, or
active ingredients. In
addition, embodiments of the oral care system may include without limitation
the following
fluids: tooth whitening, antibacterial, enamel protection, anti-sensitivity,
anti-inflammatory, anti-
attachment, fluoride, tartar control/protection, flavorant. sensate, colorant
and others. However,
other embodiments of the present invention may be used to store and dispense
any suitable type
of fluid and the invention is expressly not limited to any particular oral
care kit or oral care
material alone. In addition, while the exemplary embodiment of the package
includes only two
products, in other embodiments, the package may include more or less products
with their
respective retaining means (to be described further in details below) for
positioning the products
within the package.
[001.81 Referring to FIG. 3, the toothbrush 400 generally comprises a. handle
410, a peek 420 and
a head 430. The handle 410 provides the user with a mechanism by .which he/she
can readily
grip and manipulate the toothbrush 400. The handle 4.10 may be formed of many
different
shapes, sizes and materials and may be formed by a variety of manufacturing
methods that are
well-known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the handle 410 can house
the dispenser 500
therein as described in detail below. if desired, the handle 410 may include a
suitable textured
grip made of soft elastorneric material. The handle. 410 can be a single or
multi-part
construction. The handle 410 extends from a proximal end to a. distal end
along a longitudinal
axis A-A. A..cavity (not shown) is formed within the handle 410, An opening
440 is provided at
the proximal end Of the handle 410 that provides a passageway into the cavity
through Which the
dispenser 500 can be inserted and retracted. While the opening 440 is located
at the proximal
end of the handle 410 in the exemplified embodiment, the opening 440 may be
located at other
positions on the handle 410 in other embodiments of the invention. For
example, the opening
440 may .be located on a longitudinal surface of the handle 410 (e_g., the
front surface, the rear
surface and/or the side surfaces) and be elongated to provide sufficient
access to the cavity.
100191 The handle 410 transitions into the neck 42.0 at the distal end. While
the neck 420
generally has a smaller transverse crOsssectional area than the handle 410,
the invention is not
so limited. Broadly speaking the neck 420 is merely the transition region
between the handle
410 and the head 430 and can conceptually be considered as a portion of the
handle 4.10. In this
manner, the head. 430 is connected to the distal end of the handle 410 (via
the neck 420),
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[0020j The head 430 and the handle 410 of the toothbrush 400 are formed as a
single unitary
structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process.
However, in other
embodiments, the handle 410 and head 430 may be firmed as separate components
which are
operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any
suitable technique
known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding,
a tight-fit assembly,
a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. Whether the
head 430 and
handle 410 are of a unitary or multi-piece construction (including connection
techniques) is not
limiting of the present invention, unless specifically claimed. in some
embodiments of the
invention, .the head 430 may be detachable (and replaceable) from .the handle
410 using
techniques known in the art.
[00211 In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the head 430 comprises a
collection of oral
cleaning elements such as tooth engaging elements 450 extending therefrom for
cleaning and/or
polishing contact with an oral surface and/or interdental spaces. While the
collection of tooth
engaging elements 450 is suited for brushing teeth, the collection of tooth
engaging elements 450
can also be .used to polish teeth instead of or in addition to cleaning teeth.
As used herein:, the
term "moth engaging elements') is used in a generic: sense to refer to any
structure that can be
used to clean, polish or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue,
cheek, gurus, etc.)
through relative surface contact. Common examples of "tooth engaging elements"
include,
without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon
bristles, spiral bristles,
rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions,
.combinations thereof
and/or structures containing such. materials or combinations_ Suitable
elastomeric materials
include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral
hygiene apparatus. .lo
provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material
of the tooth or
soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range of AS to
A25 Shore hardness.
One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethyleneibutylene-styrene block
copolymer (SEBS)
manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SE BS material from other
manufacturers or
other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used.
[00221 In some embodiments, the head 430 may also comprise additional
structures for oral
cleaning or tooth engagement, such as a soft tissue cleaner or a tooth
polishing structure. An
example of a soft tissue cleaner is an elastomeric pad comprising a plurality
of nubs and or
ridges. An example of a tooth polishing structure can be an elastomeric
element, such as a
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prophy cup(s) or elastomeric wipers. Furthermore, while the head 430 is
normally widened
relative to the neck. 420 of the handle 410, it could in some constructions
simply be a continuous
extension or narrowing of the handle 410.
100234 The toothbrush 400 and the dispenser 500 are non-unitary separate
structures that are
specially designed to be detachably coupled together when in an assembled
state (referred to
herein as a storage state) and completely isolated and separated from one
another when in a
disassembled state (referred to herein as an application state), The
toothbrush 400 and the
dispenser 500 are illustrated in the application state in FIG, 3 and in the
storage state in FIG. 4,
The dispenser 500 can be slidably manipulated and altered between the storage
state (FIG. 4) in
which the dispenser 500 is located (or docked) in the toothbrush handle 410
and the application
state (FIG. 3) in which the dispenser 500 is removed from the handle 410 by
the user as desired..
[00241 Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the dispenser 500 will be
described in greater
detail. Generally, the dispenser 500 is an elongated tubular pen-like
structure that extends along
a longitudinal axis B-B. The dispenser 500 generally comprises a cap 510, a
housing 520, an
applicator 530 located at a distal end of the housing 520, and a rotatable
actuator 540 located at a
proximal end of the housing 520, in the embodiment as shown, the cap 510 is
removed from the
applicator 530. The dispenser 500 is designed so as to be capable of being
operated to dispense
the fluid stored therein using a single hand. Specifically, the dispenser 500
is positioned in a
user's hand so that the rotatable actuator 540 is lodged in the palm of the
user's hand. The user
then uses the fingers of that Same hand to rotate the housing 520 relative, to
the actuator 540e As
result, the fluid contained therein is dispensed from the dispenser 500.
100251 In the exemplified embodiment, the housing 520 has a circular
transverse cross-sectional
profile (shown in FIGS. 1-4), Of course, in other embodiments, the transverse
cross-sectional
profile of the housing 520 can take on non-circular shapes. The housing 520 is
constructed of a
material that is sufficiently rigid to provide the necessary structural
integrity for the dispenser
500. For example, the housing 520 can be formed of a moldable hard plastic.
Suitable bard
plastics include polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene,
vinyl compounds
and polyesters such as polyethylene. terephthalate. The chosen plastic(s),
however, should be
compatible with the fluid that :iseto be stored within the dispenser 500 and
Should not be corroded
or degraded by the fluid.
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100261 The housing 520 is an elongated hollow tubular structure extending
along the
longitudinal axis BB. The housing 520 contains the desired fluid or product,
which can be any
active or inactive oral care agent. The exemplary applicator 530 includes a
dispensing orifice
(not shown) through which fluid from the housing 520 can be dispensed. The
actuator 540
comprises a dome portion 550 and an anti-rotation feature, which in the
exemplified embodiment
is in the form of two members 560A, 5608 that extend axially from the dome
portion 550 toward
the distal end of the housing 520 and overlie a portion of an outer surface of
the housing 520.
While FIG. 3 only shows the member 560A on the left side of the dispenser 500,
it is understood
that a similar member 560B is located on the right side of the dispenser 500
The anti-rotation
feature of the rotatable actuator 540 of the dispenser 500 will be described
in greater detail
below. Moreover, it is to be understood that the rotatable actuator 540 can
take on a wide variety
of the structural shapes, such as a simple cylinder. In other embodiments. the
rotatable actuator
540 can take on the shape of a gear with gear teeth.
100271 In the exemplified embodiment, the actuator 540 is rotatable with
respect to the housing
520 and also axially reciprocates along axis 8-8 during rotation. In addition,
the actuator 540
is rotatahly coupled to the housing 520. .:11e dispenser 500 includes an
internal dispensing
subsystem that comprises all necessary components to effectuate the dispensing
of the fluid
within housing 520 when the rotatable actuator 540 is rotated, 'While one
embodiment of an
internal dispensing- subsystem is not illustrated, it is to be understood that
a wide variety of
mechanisms and *systems. can be used to dispense the fluid from the dispenser
500 in
accordance with the present invention. The exact. structural and functional
details, of the internal
dispensing subsystem are not limiting of the present invention, unless
specifically recited in the
claims. It is to be understood that the present invention can be incorporated
into any dispenser
that utilizes a rotatable actuator as the mechanism to dispense the fluid from
-the dispenser,
irrespective of the structural details andfor relative positioning of the
rotatable actuator on the
dispenser.
100281 When the dispenser 500 is in the application state (as illustrated),
the rotatable actuator
540 of the dispenser 500 can be rotated to dispense the fluid from the
dispenser 500, More
specifically, when the dispenser 500 is in the application state, the
rotatable actuator 540 of the
dispenser 500 can be rotated with respect to the housing 520 to dispense the
fluid from the
dispenser 500. A.s a result, the user can use the dispenser 500 to apply the
fluid directly to the
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desired oral surface. However; when the dispenser 500 is in the storage state
(as shown in FIG.
.1-3), it is desirable that the dispenser 500 be unable to dispense the fluid,
Which may occur due
to inadvertent rotation of the rotatable actuator 540. Thus, as discussed
below, the toothbrush
400 and the dispenser 500 are designed so that when the dispenser is in the
storage state, the
rotatable actuator 540 cannot be rotated in a manner that would inadvertently
dispense the fluid
from the dispenser 500.
100291 Referring now to FIG. 4, the dispenser 500 is illustrated in the
storage state. When in the
storage state, the dispenser 500 is docked within the cavity of the handle 410
of the toothbrush
400. An interference fit between an outer surface of the dispenser 500 and an
inner surface of
the toothbrush 400 facilitates the detachably coupling of the dispenser 500 to
the toothbrush 400
within the cavity of the handle 410. When the dispenser 500 is in the storage
state, at least a
portion, and preferably a majority, of the dispenser 500 is located within the
internal cavity of the
toothbrush 400.
100301 In the exemplified embodiment:, the entirety of the housing 520 of the
dispenser 500,,
including the applicator 530, are located within the cavity of the toothbrush
400 when the
dispenser 500 is in the storage state. The rotatable actuator 540 of the
dispenser, however,
protrudes axially from the proximal end of the handle 4.10 of the toothbrush
400. in this manner,
the rotatable actuator 540 of the dispenser 500 forms a longitudinal extension
of the handle 410
of the toothbrush 400. The dome portion 550 of the rotatable actuator 540
continues the natural
contour of the handle 410 and provides a rounded proximal end to the eral care
kit 100, thereby
providing a look that aesthetically resembles a traditional manual toothbrush.
1100311 While the housing 520 of the dispenser 500 is located within the
cavity of the toothbrush
400 and the rotatable actuator 540 protrudes from the handle 410 of the
toothbrush 400, the
rotatable actuator 540 cannot be rotated relative to the toothbrush 400 (or
relative to the housing
520 of the dispenser 500) due to a mechanical interference created between the
anti-rotation
feature of the rotatable actuator 540 and the anti-rotation feature of the
toothbrush 400. in the
exemplified embodiment, the anti-rotation feature of the rotatable actuator
540 comprises the
two members 5.00A, 560B that extend from the dome portion 550 while the anti-
rotation fetiture
of the toothbrush 400 comprises two recesses 4:50A, 450B that are formed into
a proximal edge
of the handle 410 of the toothbrush 400. it is understood that in other
embodiments, the rotatable
actuator 540 can be provided at different location with respect to the
toothbrush 400. In such
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embodiments, different anti-rotation feature will be provided such that the
rotatable actuator 540
cannot be rotated relative to the toothbrush 400 (or relative to the housing
520 of the dispenser
500) in the storage state.
100321 As also discussed above, the opening 440 is provided at the proximal
end of the handle
410 of the toothbrush 400 that tbrms a passageway into the cavity. Two
recesses 450A, 45013
are formed in the proximal edge and provide a geometry in which the members
560A, 56013 of
the rotatable actuator 540 can nest. When the dispenser 500 is fully inserted
into the handle 410
so as to be in the storage state (FIG. 4), the members 560A, 5608 of the
rotatable actuator 540
slide into and nest within the recesses 450A, 45013 of the toothbrush 400
respectively, thereby
achieving a mating between the members 560A, 56013 of the rotatable actuator
540 and the
recesses 450A, 45013 of the toothbrush 400 that prohibit the rotatable
actuator 540 from being
rotated relative to the toothbrush 400. When the dispenser 500 is fully
inserted into the handle
410, the rotatable actuator 540 forms a longitudinal extension of the handle
410.
100331 Conceptually, a keyed cooperation is created between the members 560A,
56013 of the
rotatable actuator 540 and the recesses 450A, 4508 of the toothbrush 400 that
prohibits relative
rotation between the rotatable actuator 540 and the toothbrush 400. In the
exemplified
embodiment, the members 560A, 560B of the rotatable actuator 540 are the keys
while the
recesses 450A, 45013 of the toothbrush 400 are the corresponding slots that
mate with the keys.
As a result of the aforementioned mechanical interference (or keyed
cooperation), the rotatable
actuator 540 cannot be inadvertently rotated so :as dispense the fluid from
the dispenser 500
when the dispenser 500 is in the storage state
detachably coupled to the toothbrush 400).
Moreover, because the housing 52.0 of the dispenser 500 is located within the
cavity of the
toothbrush 400 when the dispenser 500 is in the storage state, the rotatable
actuator 540 is also
prohibited from rotatimi, relative to the housing 520 of the dispenser 500.
100341 While the exemplified embodiment of the rotatable actuator 540 utilizes
two members
560A, 56013 to create the mechanical interference (or keyed cooperation)
between the rotatable
actuator 540 and the toothbrush 400, it is to be understood that in certain
other embodiments
more or less members (or keys) can be used as desired. For example, in certain
embodiments,
single member (or key) can be used that mates with a single recess; In other
embodiment, more
than two members (or keys) can be used that mate with a corresponding number
of recesses.
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[00351 Referring now to FIG. 5, the package 300 for containing the toothbrush
400 and the
dispenser 500 is illustrated. The package 300 may take on a. wide variety of
embodiments and
may be of a wide variety of packaging types as is known in the art. In one
embodiment, the
package 300 is a. thermoform tray that is formed of thermoformed plastic
films. Suitable
thermoformed plastic films may be constructed of such material as
polyethyleneterephtalate
(PETA, PETG, PETGAG), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) or styrol-
butadiene-
blockcopolymer (S BS), preferred polyethyleneterephtalate.
Other suitable materials of
construction for the thermoformed plastic film include, without limitation,
renewable -primaly
products, for example of cornstarch, sugar (polyhydroxybutyrati-valerat),
cellulose diacetat,
cellulose nitrate, polyactid (PIA), and polyhydroxybutyrat (PUB).
[00361 In the embodiment as shown, the package 300 includes a. first cavity
600 and a second
cavity 700. The first cavity 600 has a shape and size that is capable of
receiving, the toothbrush
400, and the second cavity 700 has a shape and size that is capable of
receiving the dispenser
500. As shown, the first cavity 600 includes a top surface 610, an inner side
surface 620 about
the perimeter of the first cavity 600, and a plurality of retaining elements
630-650, In the
embodiment as shown, th.e first cavity 600 includes retaining. elements 630A,
63013 for retaining
the neck 420, and retaining elements 640A, 64013, 650 for retaining the handle
410. While only
one of retaining elements 630A, 63013 is shown in the figure, it is understood
that a similar
retaining elements 630A, 63013 is located on an opposing side of the inner
side surfa.ce 620
around .the neck 420. While ottlyone of retaining elements 640A, 64013
is..show-n in the figure, it
is -understood. that a..Similar retaining elements 640A, 64013 is located on
an opposing side of the
inner side surface 620 around the handle 410. In some embodiments, more or
fewer retaining
elements may be included where necessary and/or appropriate.
100371 When the toothbrush 400 is placed. within the first cavity 600, the
neck 420 is secured
within the first cavity 600 where a portion of a first side surface of the
neck 420 contacts (i.e., is
in surface contacts with) one of retaining elements 630A, 63013 and a portion
of a second side
surface of the neck 420 opposing the first side surface of the neck 420
contacts the other one of
the retaining elements 63.0A, 6308.. In addition,..when the toothbrush 400 is
placed. within the
first cavity 600, the handle 410 is secured: within the first cavity 600 Where
a portion of first
side surface of the handle 410 contacts (i.e, is in surface contact with) one
of retaining elements
640Aõ 64013 and a portion. of a second side surface of the handle 410 opposing
the first side
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surface of the handle 410 contacts the other one of the retaining elements
640A, 6408. Further,
when the toothbrush 400 in placed within the first cavity 600, an inner
perimeter of each of the
recesses 450A and 450B is in surface contact with an outer perimeter of the
retaining element
650.
[00381 In the embodiment as shown, the retaining elements 630A, 630B, 640A,
6408 are in the
form of a rectangular protrusion that extends from the inner side surface 620
inward and towards
an interior of the first cavity 600. Also as shown, the retaining element 650
is in the form of a
trapezoidal protrusion that extends from the top surface 610 upward and away
from the top
surface 610. Further as shown, the retaining elements 630A, 63013, 640A, 640B,
650 help to
orient the toothbrush 400 within the first cavity 600 such that (1) the front
and rear surfaces of
the head 430 of the toothbrush 400 are at an Oblique angle relative to the top
surface 610 of the
first cavity 600, and (2) the opening 440 is clearly visible to a consumer at
the point of purchase.
The angle is formed between an orthogonal axis passing through the front and
rear surfaces of
the head 430 and a horizontal axis extending across the top surface 610 near
the head 430. In
seine embodiments, that angle may be between 5 to 80". In some embodiments,
that angle may
be between 20' to 40'. it is understood that the shape of the retaining
elements 630A, 6308,
640A, 64013, 650 may be different in other embodiments. It is also understood
that the location
of the retaining elements 630A, 63013, 640A, 64013, 650 may be different in
other embodiments.
[00391 With continuing reference to FIG. 5, the second cavity 700 includes a
top surface 710, an
inner aide surface 720 about the perimeter of the second cavity 700, and a
plurality of retaining
elements and channels 730-750. In the embodiment as shown, the second cavity
700 includes
retaining elements 730A, 730B for retaining the housing 520, a first retaining
channel 740 for
retaining the rotatable actuator 540, and a second retaining channel 750 for
retaining. the cap 510
of the dispenser 500. While only one of retaining elements 730A, 73013 is
shown in the figure, it
is understood that. a similar retaining elements 730A, 7308 is located on an
opposing side of the
inner side surface 720 around the housing 520, in some embodiments, more or
fewer retaining
elements andlor channels may be included where necessary and/or appropriate.
[00401 When the dispenser $00 is placed within the second cavity 700, the
housing 520 is
secured within the second cavity 700 where a portion of a first side surface
of the housing 520
contacts (i.e., is in surface contact with) one of retaining elements 730A,
7308 and a portion of a
second side surface of the housing 520 opposing the first side surface of the
housing 520 contacts
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the other one of the retaining elements 730A, 730B. In addition, when the
dispenser 500 is
placed within the second cavity 700, the rotatable actuator 540 is secured
within the second
cavity 700 where one of the two anti-rotation members 560A, 56013 is in
surface contact with the
first retaining channel 740. Further, when the dispenser 500 in placed within
the second cavity
700, a rim a the cap 510 is in surface contact with the retaining element 750.
[00411 In the embodiment as shown, the retaining elements 730A, 730B are in
the form of a
rectangular protrusion that extends from the inner side surface 720 inward and
towards an
interior of the second cavity 700. Also as shown, the retaining channels 740,
750 are in the form
of a depression. andlor groove that are formed into the second cavity 700 of
the package 300.
The shape of the retaining channel 740 corresponds substantially to the shape
of the anti-mtation
members 560A, 56013, and the shape of the retaining channel 750 corresponds to
the shape of the
rim of the cap 510. As shown, when the dispenser 500 is placed within the
package 300, the cap
510 is coupled to the applicator 530 so as to prevent damages to the
applicator 530. It is
understood that the shape of the retaining elements and channels 730A, 73013,
740, 750 may be
different in other embodiments. h is also understood that the location of the
retaining elements
and channels 730A, 73011, 740, 750 may be different in other embodiments. For
example, in an
alternative embodiment, the retaining channel 740 may be eliminated and a pair
of retaining
elements may be included around an upper portion of the cap 510. In another
alternative
embodiment the retaining elements 730A, 73013 may be eliminated,
[00421 Referring tO FIG, 6, an alternative embodiment of the package is
illustrated. The package
301 includes similar components as the package of 300 of FIG, 5, The same
reference numerals
are given to the corresponding features between the package 301 and the
package 300. For
example, the package 301 similarly includes a first cavity 600 for receiving
the toothbrush 400
and a second cavity 700 for receiving the dispenser 500 and the various
retaining elements and
channels. However, the packages 300 and 301 differ in the construction of a
portion of the first
cavity 600 where the head 430 of the toothbrush 400 may be disposed.
Specifically, that portion
spans approximately half the width of the package 300, but spans more than
half the width of the
package 301.
100431 Referring back. to FIGS, 1 and 2 concurrently, the oral care kit 100
will be further
described in its assembled state. When the oral care kit 100 is assembled, the
toothbrush 400 and
the dispenser 500 are positioned within the first cavity 600 and the second
cavity 700
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Tespectively. As described above, each of the first cavity 600 and the second
cavity 700 include
retaining elements to properly orient the toothbrush 400 and the dispenser
500. Specifically, the
retaining elements of first cavity 600 cooperate so that the toothbrush 400 is
mounted within the
cavity 600 such that the front and rear surfaces of the head 430 of the
toothbrush 400 are at an
oblique angle relative to the top surface 610 of the first cavity 600. In.
addition, by positioning
the toothbrush 400 at an oblique angle, the tooth engaging elements become
more visible to a
cons MU.
[00441 In the exemplified embodiment, such .visibility allows a. potential
customer to clearly and
adequately .inspect/view .the .toothbrush 400 and the dispenser 500
individually. At the same
time, the potential customer is allowed to view the. anti-rotation features
450A, 450B, 560A,,
56013 clearly at the point of sale. Because of the correspondence between the
shapes of the anti-
rotation features 430A, 450/3, 560A, 56013, the potential customer can
understand that the
toothbrush 400 and the dispenser 300 can be used together and how the two
products will be
assembled together without opening the oral care kit 100.
100451 As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each
and every .value
that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the
terminus of the tange.
in addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced
in their entireties.
in the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that
of a cited reference, the
present disclosure controls,
[00461 While the foregoing description and drawings represent the exemplar
embodiments of
the present. inVention,: it will be understood that various additions,
modifications and. substitutions
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as
defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those
skilled in the art that
the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures,
arrangements,
proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components,
without departing from
the spirit or essential characteristics thereof One skilled in the art will
appreciate that the
invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement,
proportions, sizes,
materials, and components and otherwise,.. used in the 'practice of .the
invention, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements
without departing from
the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments
are therefore to be
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considered in ai respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of
the invention being
defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description
or embodiments._
